Scotland change two for Italy

Robert Harley and Ross Ford have both come into the Scotland starting XV for Saturday's clash with Italy in the Six Nations.

Robert Harley and Ross Ford have both come into the Scotland starting XV for Saturday's clash with Italy in the Six Nations.

Harley, who scored the match-winning try against Samoa on debut when he was introduced off the bench on the summer tour in the baking South Pacific heat, replaces the injured Alasdair Strokosch in the Scotland back-row.

The only other change to the starting line-up sees British Lion Ross Ford return at hooker in place of Dougie Hall, who sustained a knee injury in the Calcutta Cup match.

Hall and his Glasgow Warriors club-mate Pat MacArthur are both bracketed for the substitute hooker role with a decision to be made, pending Hall's fitness, later this week.

"I had the pleasure of working with Robert on our tour last summer," said Scotland interim head coach Scott Johnson.

"He's big and aggressive and he's been knocking on the door for selection for a wee while. He deserves this chance as a reward for his club form.

"Italy's victory against France in Rome was well-deserved and certainly didn't surprise us. It will be a true Test match this weekend and it would be great to have a big vocal Murrayfield crowd supporting the boys this weekend."